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Salary comparison

Gas Plant Operators vs. Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators: Who Earns More?

Gas Plant Operators out-earn Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators by $43K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Gas Plant Operators land at $87,820 and Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators at $44,650. The education gap is real: gas plant operator programs typically require high school diploma or equivalent, while miscellaneous assemblers and fabricator programs require high school diploma or equivalent. Top-paying state for Gas Plant Operators is California ($130,220); for Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators it's District of Columbia ($50,330).

Gas Plant Operators
Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators
Median salary
$87,820
$44,650
Hourly rate
$42.22/hr
$21.47/hr
Entry level (10th %)
$61,350
$33,280
Senior level (90th %)
$115,520
$64,880
Education required
High school diploma or equivalent
High school diploma or equivalent
U.S. employment
18,030
1,405,030
Job growth (10-year)
-8.8%
-0.1%
Category
Production & Manufacturing
Production & Manufacturing
Top-paying state
California
District of Columbia

Pay by state

States where both occupations have BLS data, sorted by Gas Plant Operators median pay.

State
Gas Plant Operators
Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators
California
$130,220
$47,720
Oregon
$109,760
$46,910
Massachusetts
$103,830
$46,720
Minnesota
$100,500
$46,920
Colorado
$98,080
$46,150
North Dakota
$96,760
$47,250
Maine
$93,990
$45,970
Iowa
$92,970
$48,920
Missouri
$87,820
$46,480
Indiana
$85,790
$45,550
Wisconsin
$85,080
$45,670
Washington
$83,650
$48,260
Ohio
$82,130
$45,720
South Carolina
$67,580
$45,500
Kentucky
$63,070
$47,950

Source: BLS OEWS May 2025. Highlighted value is higher in each row.

Common questions

Who earns more, Gas Plant Operators or Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators?

Gas Plant Operators earn more nationally. The median is $87,820 for Gas Plant Operators versus $44,650 for Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators, a difference of $43K. Per BLS OEWS May 2025.

Which has better job growth, Gas Plant Operators or Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators?

Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators has the better 10-year outlook at -0.1% projected growth, compared to -8.8% for the other field. Both are from BLS Employment Projections.

Which requires more education, Gas Plant Operators or Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators?

Gas Plant Operators typically requires high school diploma or equivalent. Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators requires high school diploma or equivalent. Education requirements vary by employer and state licensing board.

Where do Gas Plant Operators get paid the most?

California is the top-paying state for Gas Plant Operators at $130,220/year, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Major metro areas within that state typically pay even more than the state average.

How does Gas Plant Operators vs. Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators pay differ by state?

The gap varies significantly by state. In California, Gas Plant Operators earn $130,220 vs. $47,720 for Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.

Full Gas Plant Operators salary breakdownView →Full Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators salary breakdownView →Best cities for Gas Plant Operators by take-home payExplore →Best cities for Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators by take-home payExplore →How to become a gas plant operatorsGuide →How to become a miscellaneous assemblers and fabricatorsGuide →